67 



acknowledging the gift of a large photo, of the Old Hall, says : — 

 " Allow me to teU you, you could hardly have offered anything 

 more acceptable to me as the building was always a great 

 favourite of mine, and I used to think if ever I built a house I 

 should hke to have Worsthorne Hall simply copied in stone of its 

 own size. I am sorry the old building is faUing into decay, but 

 that is the end of all buildings sooner or later, and even as it is 

 they last longer than the architects." 



Again, writing from Autun on the 30th December, 1886, after 

 receiving the photograph he says : — " Messrs. Seely forwarded to 

 me the excellent photograph of Worsthorne Hall that you have 

 have been so kind as to give me. I remember when quite a boy 

 being much struck with the simple beauty of design in that old 

 house, and with its perfect unity. After studying a great deal of 

 architecture since, I still retain my old opinion, that Worsthorne 

 Hall is one of the most harmonious and complete houses of its 

 size that I have ever seen. Such a house could easily be appUed 

 to modern convenience, and would be better in every way than 

 many commonplace modern designs." 



Many of the windows are waUed up with stone slabs to reduce 

 the amount to be paid as window tax, and I think every one will 

 agree with me that whatever other complaints were laid against 

 the old halls, that of want of light will hardly be amongst them. 

 It is curious that Dr. Whitaker does not mention the Halsteds in 

 connection with this old haU. Doubtless, as he says, Eowley was 

 their principal seat, but it (the original hall) would not compare 

 at aU either in size or magnificence with this grand old hall. I 

 hope, at some future time, to be able to place before the Club, 

 measured drawings of the Hall with fuU size details of the 

 moulds. 



Eowley. 



This house is the seat of the Halsted family, who originally 

 came from High Halsted. It was granted by Eobert de Lacy to 

 Oswald Brun, and was erected in the year 1593 by Ohver Halsted. 

 A pecuUar feature of this Hall is that a roadway from Netherwood 

 to Brownside Bridge originally passed in at the front door and 

 out at the back, and was in use until about 100 years ago. The 

 house has been considerably enlarged and modernized, but the 

 south gables still retain their old mulhoned and transomed win- 

 dows, and the porch has its old gable, though the doorcase is 

 modern. The style of work corresponds with that at Wallstreams, 

 which was in course of erection at the same time. 



Bakcroft. 



The ball is situated on the outskirts of Towneley Park, and is 

 another massive stone structure. The plan was based on the 



